Nurse Practitioner Palliative Care for Oncology

Serving as a member of the medical care management team, provides advanced nursing care across the continuum of acute care service to patients who are in house on the solid oncology service. Act as a liaison between nursing staff, residents, fellows, and physicians to provide effective and consistent patient care. In addition, acts as a liaison between solid oncology team and the palliative care consultation service and a member of the palliative care team to meet the needs of oncology inpatients. Performs daily rounds on assigned solid oncology inpatients to ensure adherence to protocols/orders. Main responsibility would be work as member of palliative care team, but embedded within the solid oncology service, examining issues of palliative care for oncology inpatients. There might be some direct, routine inpatient oncology care depending on size of the service. Coordinates patient admissions with attending. Executes chart orders and coordinates consultants. Performs and documents comprehensive history and physical examinations on all assigned inpatients, including documentation of outpatient primary care physician and outpatient primary oncologist. Accurately interprets all diagnostic data and formulates a plan of care in collaboration with physicians and other members of the health care team. Provides appropriate pharmacological management, independent follow-up care, assessment and problem solving. Provides patient education for disease process, pre/post chemotherapy (if indicated) and outcomes. Provides ongoing updates and communication with outpatient oncology attending as well as primary care physician. Assists discharge coordinator in the discharge process. Provides ongoing and up-to-date education to the nursing team to promote awareness and comprehension around the different oncologic disease states, types of treatments, complexities of treatment regimens, complications and pertinent elements of the plan of care. Optimizes patient outcomes through the integration of performance improvement initiatives and collaboration with the healthcare team, including case management. Dictates consultation notes, discharge summaries, and letters regarding patient care. Screens telephone calls from patients and families regarding care. Participates in lectures, rounds, conferences, and workshops. Assists with the development of research protocols, investigations, and clinical trials. Provides administrative support for physicians and assists with development of critical care pathways and protocols. Develops and implements progressive information technology alternatives in the inpatient setting. If inpatient census falls below work guidelines, the NP may be asked to work instead in the outpatient Santa Monica hematology/oncology practice. Tasks would be the same, but in the outpatient setting. Practices using "Standardized Procedures" as defined in California BRN Nurse Practice Act.

Qualifications

Current California RN and NP license. BLS required. Graduate from an accredited MSN with Acute Care Nurse Practitioner; Minimum of 3 years’ experience in Oncology or Palliative Care preferred. National NP certification required. Certification on Oncology or Palliative care preferred. Detailed knowledge of the University’s Human Subject Protection Committee’s. Skill in prioritizing heavy workloads and deadlines, with ability to follow through. Interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients and their families, interdepartmental university departments and other affiliated institutions. Skill in using PC word processing and spreadsheet software, and knowledge of Medical Center computing systems. General knowledge of Medical Center’s Policy and procedure.Ability to provide a leadership style that demonstrates the principles of time management, conflict resolution, problem solving and delegation.An ability and experience to act as an effective teacher in a clinical setting. Ability to interface effectively with patients and their families. Ability to interface with Medical staff and Nursing staff. Ability to teach about oncology treatments and medical. Management issues. Ability to give presentation in areas of expertise. Demonstrated by previous experience and accomplishment (at least 3 years preferred), an ability to apply a broad knowledge base to act effectively to coordinate and assess patient care and act as a liaison with nursing staff, team physicians, referring physicians, patients and their family. Excellent organizational skills, proficiency in meeting deadlines, ability to work independently and prioritize heavy workload. Ability to manage numerous concurrent tasks in a high stress environment and deal with change.